Monday, March 22, 2010

I Guess Yelling "A**hole" Wouldn't Be Civilized Enough?

A voice apparently on the Republican side of the House shouted the remark while the Democrat spoke.

Even after the main vote on the Democrats' health bill Sunday night, tempers continued to flare in the House.

Following the vote on the massive health bill, Republicans challenged the Democratic bill's language barring federal funding of abortions, saying it was weak and would effectively allow public funding for abortions.

Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan, who had fought for tough language barring federal subsidies for abortion coverage, denounced the Republican move, saying it was nothing more than an attempt to deny 32 million Americans health care. From the Republican side a voice shouted, "Baby killer!"

It was not immediately clear who had called out the epithet.

Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.), said it wasn't him.

"I don't think it’s appropriate at all," he told Politico. "The people who know won't give it up," Campbell said. "I'm not casting dispersions on that state" in a reference to lawmakers from Texas.

Republican Rep. Joe Barton of Texas said he heard the scream but wouldn't say who was responsible.